Tools #2: EC Atkins refurb

At an estate sale last fall I picked up this EC Atkins rip saw for $2. Thus, it is a good candidate for a refurb but with only $2 at stake I am going to try my hand at saw handle reshaping.

The original handle is uninspiring and bulky. Although I may be tainted by the feel of my Bad Axe tenon saw, both of my D-8 handles is far better. The EC Atkins handle is boring and uncomfortable.

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We have seen some beautiful saw transformations here on LJ’s. In this instance I am using my Bad Axe handle as inspiration and templet.

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This is the result after a little trimming with a coping saw and bulk removal with the oscillating sander. This is just a start but all for the night. Hopefully I’ll get some time to work on it this weekend.

Scott – If you’re going to clamp the handle in a vise to work on it, stick a hotel card key in the kerf. It is quite easy to get carried away with the moment, crank down on the vise and crack one of the cheeks. It the hotel card key is a bit loose, stick a bit of masking tape on it.

-- Andy -- "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." (Michelangelo)

Glue spreaders, shims, spacers, scrapers (cut them to shape), drill holes in them and put your saw bolts through them so you put them back in the handle in the same order, polish the saw bolts while they’re in the plastic, and a whole host of other uses. I’ve got a drawer full of them and wouldn’t be without them.

Give them back? Whatever next!

-- Andy -- "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." (Michelangelo)

Spent some time on the handle this evening. I continued to cut out the lambs tongue and the decorative bevel with the coping saw. I did a lot of pairing and was thankful that I bought a box of assorted rasps at the same estate sale.

working on the lambs tongue

marking out for the decorative bevel

I thought about making an index finger indention.

_

After sanding down to 220 and wiping down with mineral spirits. This helps me see where I left some previous grit marks. I will spend some more time fine tuning the lamb’s tongue this weekend.

Thanks you for the valuable advice. I wouldn’t have thought of that and it could have cost me. I employed my “benny” card in this situation as I have always returned my room key – but I wont from now on.